Publications

The Justice and Security Act 2013 requires the Committee to produce an Annual Report to Parliament on the discharge of its functions. The Annual Reports detail the work of the Committee and the administration and expenditure of the intelligence community. These reports are first submitted to the Prime Minister who is required to consider, in consultation with the ISC, whether any matters should be excluded in the interests of national security.

The majority of the Committee’s Special Reports, like its Annual Reports, are made to both the Prime Minister (in classified form) and to Parliament (with sensitive material redacted). However, a small number of reports, which deal with the most highly classified matters, may be made solely to the Prime Minister. Special Reports address particular strategic or operational issues.

On occasion, the Committee may also issue statements on current issues of concern.

The reports and statements published by the Committee are listed below in chronological order. The Committee does not comment on its work programme or reports beyond the information published on these pages.


Transcripts and Public Evidence

The highly classified nature of the ISC’s work means that it hears evidence in closed session. Very occasionally the Committee may hold a public session, in which case the transcript of that session will be listed on this page. Written submissions associated with reports will also be listed on this page where the author has given their consent.

Previous Parliaments

Published: July 2019

Published: July 2019

Published: November 2018

During 2017, the UK suffered five serious terrorist attacks at Westminster, Manchester Arena, London Bridge, Finsbury Park and Parsons Green. This Report considers the actions of MI5 and Counter-Terrorism Policing in relation to cross-cutting issues that can be seen as having played a part in the actions of those who perpetrated the attacks.

Published: November 2018

Published: July 2018

This report considers the four key protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act - Gender, Race, Sexuality and Disability - and addresses these in the context of diversity and inclusion across the intelligence community: highlighting good practice, identifying possible gaps and making recommendations to help improve the approach.

Published: June 2018

This report examines current issues in relation to the actions of the UK security and intelligence agencies in relation to the handling of detainees overseas and rendition.

Published: June 2018

This report examines historic issues in relation to the actions of the UK security and intelligence agencies in relation to the handling of detainees overseas and rendition.

Published: June 2016

Published: February 2015

Published: December 2014

Published: September 2014

Published: December 2013

Published: December 2017

Published: November 2017

Published: April 2017

Published: April 2017

This Report examines the intelligence basis behind the UK lethal drone strike against Reyaad Khan, a British citizen, in Syria in August 2015.

Published: January 2016

Published: February 2016

This Report describes the Committee's response to the intelligence agency-related aspects of the Government's draft Investigatory Powers Bill and builds upon the recommendations made in the Committee's Privacy and Security Report of March 2015.

Published: November 2015

Published: July 2016

Published: October 2015

Published: March 2015

This Report includes, for the first time in a single document, a comprehensive review of the full range of intrusive capabilities available to the UK intelligence Agencies. It contains an unprecedented amount of information about those capabilities, the legal framework governing their use, and the privacy protections and safeguards that apply. The Report also reveals the use of certain capabilities – such as Bulk Personal Datasets and Directions under the Telecommunications Act 1984 – for the first time. The Report represents a landmark in terms of the openness and transparency surrounding the Agencies’ work.

Published: December 2013

Published: October 2013

Published: March 2015

The Report considers recruitment policy and practice; maternity-related issues, childcare and flexible working; career and promotion prospects; and cultural and behavioural issues.

Published: February 2015

Published: November 2014

Following the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby, on 22 May 2013, the ISC investigated what MI5, SIS and GCHQ knew about the two men who carried out the attack to see whether it could have been prevented.

Published: November 2014

Published: July 2013

This Report was issued by the Committee in response to allegations that GCHQ acted illegally by accessing the content of private communications via the US PRISM programme.

Published: July 2013

Published: June 2013

This Report investigates the Government's strategy for considering national security issues in relation to foreign involvement in the UK's Critical National Infrastructure.

Published: February 2013

This Report considers the use of communications data by the intelligence and security Agencies, and how the proposals in the Government’s draft Communications Data Bill might affect them.

Published: December 2012

Published: July 2012

Committee responses to Her Majesty's Government's Green Paper on Justice and Security

Published: March 2012

Published: December 2011

Published: October 2011

Published: July 2011

Published: March 2010

Published: March 2010

Published: May 2009

This Review addresses the unanswered questions relating to the intelligence on the 7/7 bombers, particularly those arising out of the investigation of the 2004 fertiliser bomb (CREVICE) plot.

Published: March 2009

Published: March 2009

Published: January 2008

Published: July 2007

This Report considers whether the UK security and intelligence Agencies had any knowledge of, and/or involvement in, rendition operations, and also the Agencies' overall policy for intelligence sharing with foreign liaison services.

Published: June 2006

Published: May 2006

This Report examines intelligence and security matters relevant to the July terrorist attacks, focusing in particular on: whether any intelligence which may have helped prevent the attacks was missed or overlooked; why the threat level to the UK was lowered prior to the attacks and what impact this had; and what lessons were learned from these attacks, and how these lessons are being applied.

Published: April 2005

Published: March 2005

This report covers the contact between detainees and the SIS, Security Service, both military and civilian DIS staff and military intelligence personnel in Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay and Iraq.

Published: June 2004

Published: September 2003

This report examines whether the available intelligence, which informed the decision to invade Iraq, was adequate and properly assessed and whether it was accurately reflected in Government publications.

Published: June 2003

Published: December 2002

Published: June 2002

Published: March 2001

Published: November 2000

Published: June 2000

Published: November 1999

Published: April 1999

Published: October 1998

Government Responses

Included below are formal Government Responses and Written Ministerial Statements made in relation to the ISC's publications.

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Transcripts and Public Evidence

Privacy and Security Inquiry: 56 substantive written submissions.

12 March 2015

Published: March 2015

Privacy and Security Inquiry. Transcript of evidence given by:

Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP (Foreign Secretary)


Privacy and Security Inquiry. Transcript of evidence given by:

Sir David Omand (King's College, London)


Privacy and Security Inquiry. Transcript of evidence given by:

Rt Hon Theresa May MP (Home Secretary)


Privacy and Security Inquiry. Transcript of evidence given by:

Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP (Deputy Prime Minister)


Privacy and Security Inquiry. Transcript of evidence given by:

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP (Shadow Home Secretary)


Privacy and Security Inquiry. Transcript of evidence given by:

Peter Gill (Liverpool University);
Professor John Naughton (Cambridge University);
Dr Julian Richards (University of Buckingham) and
Professor Tom Simpson (Oxford University).


Privacy and Security Inquiry. Transcript of evidence given by:

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Berry (Gloucestershire Police);
Deputy Chief Constable Jon Boutcher (Bedfordshire Police);
Jim Killock (Director, Open Rights Group);
Professor Charles Raab (Edinburgh University); and
Professor Peter Sommer (De Montford University).


Privacy and Security Inquiry. Transcript of evidence given by:

Emma Carr (Director, Big Brother Watch);
Dr Eric Metcalfe (on behalf of JUSTICE);
Isabella Sankey (Director of Policy, Liberty); and
Hanne Stevens (Interim Director, Rights Watch UK).


Privacy and Security Inquiry.  Transcript of evidence given by:

Rt Hon David Blunkett (Member of Parliament);
Charlie Edwards (Director of National Security, RUSI);
Professor Anthony Glees (University of Buckingham); and
Baroness Onora O'Neill and Rebecca Hilsenrath (Equality and Human Rights Commission).

Published: October 2014

Transcript of evidence to the ISC given by:

Sir Iain Lobban (Director, GCHQ);
Mr Andrew Parker (Director General, MI5); and
Sir John Sawers (Chief, MI6).

Published: November 2013